Although resort trends and collections don’t bear the same significance as those presented during the spring and fall fashion weeks, they actually have a much bigger commercial significance. Namely, not only are the pieces presented on resort runways more timeless and devoid of the trendiness that often marks the other collections, they actually have a bigger staying power, and not only in our wardrobes but in stores as well. Aside from their more timeless vibe, these are the perfect layering pieces that you can rock both in the hotter as well as the cooler season, due to both the fabric choices that allow for chic layering and the timelessness of the pieces themselves. This is why it’s extremely important to see what these collections have to say, because chances are, they’ll be in our wardrobe arsenal for much longer than pieces from those more coveted lines. Of course, it’s also time to bring the Australian design talent into the spotlight and ultimately make Sydney a fashion capital of the same importance as the rest of them.
Minimalism comes from Melbourne
It’s no secret that, in Australia, Melbourne does wonders with black and their own version of minimalism. Hence, the appearance of amazing minimal pieces comes as no surprise, and we’re particularly fond of the all-black sandal collection presented by A. Amery. There were classic flat slides, T-bar gladiators as well as crisscross style sandals that wrap at the ankle. They are every minimalist’s dream summer shoe, and we have no doubt that fashionistas from the Northern Hemisphere will jump at the opportunity to snag them, particularly if they’re tired of the platform crocks and other ugly shoes.
Away from the body
The oversized and modest fashion trends have been ruling the runways for quite some time now, but we haven’t seen anyone execute the trend in the way that Akira Isogawa has. In the ‘resort spirit’, stripes were present, but unlike in other resort collections all over the world, they weren’t full of ‘sunshine and rainbow hues’. Instead, Isogawa brought dark shades of blue, gray, red, and then a bit of white for good measure and a bit of brightness. The designs are also like nothing we’ve seen so far. The dresses are not made to be fitted, but in an almost deconstructed way with interesting and mild layers, and we particularly love the asymmetrical moment on the sleeves which is both whimsical and bold.
When pastel met minimal
One wouldn’t normally associate colors with minimalism, but Bianca Spender did such a wonderful job that it left us completely in awe. There were some traditionally minimalistic pieces such as breathtaking and extraordinary black jumpsuits as well as Australian signature white dresses, but a pop of color caught us off guard, particularly in the form of the royal blue sharp and minimal suit. However, the real surprise was the meshing of minimal yet intricate design with gentle pastel hues. Spender made it quite clear that minimalism certainly doesn’t have to be devoid of color, bold or gentle, and we have a sneaking suspicion that even the die-hard minimalists will be tempted by dresses like these.
The best of athleisure
Well, when it comes to Double Rainbouu, the runway was full of, well, everything. From ironic T-shirt logos that had tabloid newspapers’ names instead of the actual brand, to surfer shorts, hoodies, chunky dad sneakers and prints for days. The only thing missing was a great Fendi bag and the over-the-top athleisure mission would have been complete. We can’t say with certainty whether this is paying homage to athleisure or the beach vibes – perhaps it’s taking athleisure to new levels or places – like the beach. Black and simple one-piece swimsuits did make an appearance, accompanied by a murky kimono-looking shirt, which is completely unexpected from the boho and color-loving Aussies, but perhaps it’s time to shelf the boho for a while and move on to something else.
True resort
Leave it up to the likes of Ginger & Smart to bring us the resort every real classically stylish vacationer or simple summer-breeziness lover craves. Aside from the whimsical dresses made out of flower petals (which one could easily rock to a classy evening event), the rest of the looks were simply stunning and worthy of the French Riviera. Color-block dresses with a hint of tulle, sharp lines in gorgeous dusty blue shades, classic striped resort sundresses – this is what we’ve been craving. You can almost feel the delicate and breathable fabrics that will look stunning in the warm summer wind, and among all resort collections, this is the one we predict will be the most coveted one.
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